Opera Singer Paul Potts
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v1 PAGE 78 C M Y K DAILY MAIL WeeKEND ‘I wish I was still fit. No one would believe that in my 20s I was 10½ stone and ran cross-country for my county’ Bacardi with orange and cranberry – an DEFINITE 80s throwback! We’d then take the Ori- ent Express – which would be roofless – through the Alps. We’d stop in Verona where I’d sing something from La Bohème in the Arena di Verona, then ARTICLE we’d spend the night in a hotel in Zurich, We ask a celebrity a set of probing eating too much Swiss chocolate. The happiest moment you will cherish questions – and only accept THE forever… Singing at Berlin’s Branden- burg Gate on New Year’s Eve 2010 in definitive answer. This week: BGT’s front of 1.5 million people. I remember thinking, ‘How did this happen?’ first winner, opera singer Paul Potts The saddest time that shook your world… My life between the ages of 15- The prized possession you value above The priority activity if 17 was sad and distressing. I was suffer- all others... The ability to drive! I only you were the Invisible ing abuse from bullies at school and I passed my test in 2013, aged 42. It was Man for a day... I’d take one of was sexually abused by a man at my my first attempt – I never got around to Simon Cowell’s precious cars Sea Cadets. But I survived it all. learning because I’m so disorganised. for a spin around Hollywood, then drop the keys back in his now I have great kit. I have The crime you would commit knowing The unfulfilled ambition that contin- The biggest regret you wish you could hands. The look on his face 16 cameras, which my wife you could get away with it... I’d round ues to haunt you... To play Rodolfo in amend... Not attending an opera school would be worth seeing! Julz thinks is a bit much! up Twitter trolls and show them the La Bohème. I think I could do it well. in Italy in 2000 when I was offered a impact they have on their victims. place. I lacked the confidence. But if I’d The pet hate that makes your hack- The treasured item you lost The philosophy that underpins your gone I may never have done Britain’s Got les rise... Bullying. I put up with and wish you could have The song that means most to you... life... Never give up and you will get Talent [Paul won the first series in 2007]. lots of it in my youth and it hurts again… My fitness. No one Nessun Dorma – the song I sang on to where you need to go. would ever believe that in me to see others go through it. BGT. I’ve performed it thousands of The order of service at your funeral... I The temptation you wish you could my 20s I ran cross-country times since then but I’ll never tire of it. want it to be happy – but some opera resist... Eating red meat. I used to eat out The film you can watch time and time for my county. I weighed about might get the tears going. I want my once every few months, but now when again... Untouchable, a French comedy 10½ stone, but I must be six The way you would spend your fantasy I ashes scattered on Lake Windermere. I’m touring I’m in restaurants every night about a quadriplegic and his carer. stone heavier now. 24 hours, with no travel restrictions... and it’s hard not to order great meat. It makes you laugh and cry. love being in outstanding landscapes The way you want to be remembered... The unending quest that drives you alone and photographing them, so my The book that holds an everlasting reso- As somebody who just kept going. The person who has influenced you on… To be the best I can at all I do – day would begin at 4am by Lake Wind- nance... The Lord Of The Rings. I’ve read most... José Carreras. I heard a record be it singing, as a husband or a friend. ermere so I could capture the sunrise. The Plug... Paul Potts plays Cavara- it nine times and I see some- of him singing La Bohème when I was The poem that touches your soul... If I’d have a campfire and cook eggs Ben- dossi in Puccini’s Tosca at Chiswick thing new each time. 16 and it made me want to sing opera. by Rudyard Kipling – you’d be pretty edict and make a proper cappuccino. House and Gardens on 15-16 June. For I’ve performed for him twice now. tickets visit summersessions.co.uk. n After that I’d visit Loch Linnhe on the P perfect if you managed to live up to it. H Below: Simon Cowell with O west coast of Scotland, then stare in As told to Rob McGibbon T one of his cars. Above The figure from history for whom you’d OGR The misapprehension about yourself wonder at Buachaille Etive Mòr moun- most like to buy a pie and a pint... Giaco- aph right: Bacardi, orange you wish you could erase... That because mo Puccini. I’d like to ask how he man- tain in the Highlands. I’d S: X and cranberry. Far I’m fat, I must be ugly. It’s not for me to right: a camera and have Bluff Hill Cove oys- P aged to write such powerful music that OSUR judge what I look like, but there’s an Lake Windermere creates so much emotion in people. ters for lunch in Christch- E assumption that fat people are ugly, , JO urch, New Zealand, then The piece of wisdom you would pass which doesn’t seem right or fair. el take a boat onto Lake an on to a child... Don’t ignore your D The event that altered the course of Pukaki. I’d also visit E problems or they’ll never go away. RSO your life and character... Getting Mount Cook before meet- N / E The unlikely interest that through that Britain’s Got Talent audi- ing Julz in Venice. We’d Y evine engages your curiosity... tion in Cardiff in 2007. I thought it have a walk and a gondola , G Photography. I’ve loved it for would be the last time I’d ever perform ride before a dinner of ett years and always did what I because I’d come to the end of the road seafood pasta by the R Y, E could with cheap cameras, but with my singing. It was my last shot... Grand Canal. I’d drink a X NEXT WEEK PS... l Lorraine Kelly takes us inside Meryl Streep is the world’s worst opera singer in Florence Foster the penguin A&E l The Hairy Jenkins – in cinemas from Friday. A Midsummer Night’s Bikers dish up another serving of healthy meals you can cook Dream is playing at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. in 30 minutes l The best blue flowers for summer l Britain’s And Cyndi Lauper’s new album Detour is released on Friday most detailed TV listings PLEASE RECYCLE Our newspapers, magazines DailY Mail WEEKEND IS PUbliSheD BY ASSOCiateD NewSpapeRS LTD. PRinteD BY The POleStaR GROUP. 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